Starnge noise from tractor when operating tiller

[Hebbster]

I have a L3130DT with 80hrs and a BL60C tiller. I was tilling some hard packed clay (hard going) and stalled the tractor a couple of times. I was running at about 2000rpm. Just as the tractor was stalling there was a sqealing noise that appeared to be coming from the front or near the pedals of the tractor. Not a loud squeal, just loud enough to be heard. I also noticed that it was making a chirping noise as I was tilling. It seemed to be the squealing noise but in very quick chirps. As if a couple of tines were digging too deep and causing the chirp. This is my first independent PTO. Could this be the PTO clutch slipping and is it normal?

 

[OrangeGuy]

The PTO clutch pack runs in oil so no chirping sound from it. Is the roto tiller "pushing your tractor" while you till? I would have a tendency to believe your drive clutch is "chirping" because the roto tiller is fighting the tractor in your heavy soil and sending shocks back through the tractor. I purchased a middle buster to breakup my soil prior to roto tilling. No more pushing the tractor around with the tiller.

OrangeGuy

 

[v8dave]

This is a complete shot in the dark as I don't have rototiller attachment. But, here goes anyway...

Does your tiller have a slip clutch in the drive line? It will have either a shear bolt or slip clutch of some type to keep from crunching the tractor's power train.

If it has the slip clutch in the pto drive, that's what you may be hearing.

 

[Hebbster]

Thanks for the replies Guys,

OrangeGuy - I think you may be right. The tiller is trying to push the tractor. When I choose a higher gear there's no noise. I guess the tractor is moving fast enough that the tiller doesn't bite as much. A middle buster would have been the ticket, but I only had a couple hundred square feet to till.